Turkish Tapes

In October 2014, I attended the conference Identities – An Interdisciplinary Approach at the Center for Advanced Studies in Music (MIAM), Istanbul Technical University. During my stay, I stumbled across a small music store tucked away in the Beşiktaş district. The shop no longer seems to exist, but I left with a few cassette tapes that stayed with me over the years, quietly gathering dust.

As part of my recent music digitization project, I rediscovered these tapes and decided to craft a mixtape that reflects the rich, eclectic soundscape of Turkish music. The result is Genredefier #4: Turkish Tapes, now available on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/psychedelicpicnic/genredefier-4-turkish-tapes

The idea was to curate a wide sweep across Turkish musical traditions—from Anatolian rock to folk, psychedelic to protest music—while maintaining a sense of cohesion and narrative flow.

Below is a closer look at the featured artists and tracks on the mixtape:

Tracklist & Notes

1. Moğollar – “Dinleyiverin Gayri” Pioneers of Anatolian rock, Moğollar blend traditional Turkish melodies with 1970s psychedelic rock sensibilities. This track is a quintessential example of their fusion style.

2. Metin Karataş – “Benim Sevdalarım” A lesser-known gem, this song combines heartfelt vocals with folk instrumentation, carrying the emotional intensity characteristic of Turkish arabesque.

3. Barış Manço – “Hal Hal” An icon of Turkish rock, Barış Manço delivers playful energy and funk-inspired rhythms in this catchy, danceable tune.

4. Erkin Koray – “Belki Bir Gün Anlarsın” One of the godfathers of Turkish psych-rock, Koray blends deep emotion with fuzzed-out guitar riffs. A melancholic yet timeless ballad.

5. Unknown Artist – “Süleyman Ağa” An enigmatic inclusion—this track was unlabeled on the cassette. Traditional in tone, it likely hails from a regional folk lineage. Any leads on the artist are welcome.

6. Erkan Oğur & Okan Murat Öztürk – “Yüzün Gördüm Dedim (Uşşak Nefes)” A contemplative instrumental in the Uşşak makam, this piece highlights the subtlety of Turkish classical and modal music traditions.

7. Neşet Ertaş – “Diloylu Halay Havası” A legendary figure in Turkish folk, Ertaş is synonymous with the bağlama and rural dance forms. This lively halay rhythm invites community and celebration.

8. Ata Canani – “Doyçe Froyndi (Deutsche Freunde)” A standout from the Turkish-German diaspora scene. Sung in both Turkish and German, it speaks to immigrant identity with punk-infused urgency.

9. Bedri Ayseli – “Halay” Another spirited halay, this one bursts with regional flair and communal energy—a dancefloor favorite at village weddings.

10. Timur Selçuk – “Ayrılanlar İçin” A composer and pianist, Selçuk weaves classical influences with dramatic vocal delivery in this poignant, orchestral piece.

11. Fikret Kızılok – “Zaman Zaman” One of the poetic voices of Turkish rock, Kızılok offers philosophical lyrics wrapped in rich melodic textures.

12. Kamuran Akkor – “Aşk Eski Bir Yalan” A diva of Turkish pop and arabesque, Akkor sings of love’s illusions with a voice that’s both elegant and raw.

13. Tülay German – “Burçak Tarlası” A politically charged folk anthem turned psychedelic classic. German’s voice and vision helped redefine what protest music could sound like in Turkey.

🎧 Listen here: Genredefier #4: Turkish Tapes

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